ANTONY

Ho, ho, ho!

Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus!

Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends,
You take me in too dolorous a sense;

For I spake to you for your comfort; did desire you
To burn this night with torches : know, my hearts,

I hope well of to-morrow; and will lead you
Where rather I'll expect victorious life

Than death and honour. Let 's to supper, come,
And drown consideration.

Brother, good night to-morrow is the day.

SECOND SOLDIER

It will determine one way fare you well.
Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?

Exeunt.

Enter two other SOLDIERS.

SECOND SOLDIER

Soldiers, have careful watch.

THIRD SOLDIER

And you. Good night, good night.

They place themselves in every corner of the stage.

FOURTH SOLDIER

Here we and if to-morrow

Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope

Our landmen will stand up.

THIRD SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER

Peace, I say!

What should this mean?

SECOND SOLDIER

'T is the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd,

Follow the noise so far as we have quarter;

Let's see how it will give off.

ALL

Content. 'Tis strange.

Exeunt.

Antony and Cleopatra.

17

Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending.

Come, good fellow, put mine iron on:
If fortune be not ours to-day, it is

Because we brave her : come

What's this for?

CLEOPATRA

Nay, I'll help too

ANTONY

Ah, let be, let be! thou art

The armourer of my heart: false, false; this, this.

CLEOPATRA

Sooth, la, I'll help: thus it must be.

ANTONY

Well, well;

He that unbuckles this, till we do please
To daff 't for our repose, shall hear a storm.
Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen 's a squire
More tight at this than thou: dispatch. O love,
That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st
The royal occupation! thou shouldst see

A workman in 't.

Enter an armed SOLDIER.

Good morrow to thee; welcome:

Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge:
To business that we love we rise betime,

And go to 't with delight.

SOLDIER

A thousand, sir,

Early though 't be, have on their riveted trim,

And at the port expect you.

Shout. Trumpets flourish.

Enter CAPTAINS and SOLDIERS.

CAPTAINS

The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.